Futurelawyer

Poetry And Photographs - Can You Hear Them?

I am often greeted with surprise when friends discover my poetry. Most of us have the wrong idea about poetry anyway. It isn't about nursery rhymes that you learned as a child. It is about conveying feeling and emotion with words. The poems in "Life Is Simple, Really" and "Poems For Lovers" attempt to do that. As an example, this poem is called "Photograph". What feeling does it bring to you, if any?

 

PHOTOGRAPH

He looked at the photograph closely,

image of his youth,

filled with promise, and

overflowing with optimism.

In a single dimension,

the photograph reminded him

of another self,

free to hope,

free to wonder,

free to grasp, and

looking for the future.

He remembered the photographer,

prodding,

annoying,

motioning, and

jostling with the hangers on

and the wannabes.

Sharing his soul,

whether he wanted to or not.

He took a picture in his mind,

moved to another decade,

and

wondered whether the wisdom

of age

would be enough

to bring the photograph back to life.

Did it look back at him

and laugh?

The First Digital Camera Was A Marvel.

One of my favorite images was taken by a Judge in 2003. I had just purchased a 2 megapixel marvel and was doing tech show and tell with His Honor, when he asked to see the camera. He was, as was I, fascinated with the possibilities of digital imaging. I have been a serious amateur photographer since the 1980s, and did a lot of color darkroom work in the days of chemicals and enlargers. Digital imaging, like digital music versus vinyl records, loses some of the mystery of a physical process; but, it serves well in an instant results society. We have lost a sense of touch and smell and the warm imperfection of a physical process. Like vinyl, will there be a backlash against digital imaging? 

#ParrotSunday - Time Flies.

In The News - Make It Permanent. (Posted Nine Years Ago Today) Here is a big thank you to a local Tampa Bay company, In The News, located at 8517 Sunstate Street, Tampa, FL 33634. Many years ago, they picked up an article about me in a local newspaper, and put it in a permanent plaque for my wall. I still have it, and they have performed similar services for me in subesquent years. I am giving them a shout out for their quality work. If you or a member of your family or firm want to have a permanent record of an achievement, there is no better way to do it. They can be reached at 800-548-3993, and they didn't pay me to say this. I gladly paid their reasonable cost for their good work. Here is a photo of the most recent article, from this month's ABA Journal. I know, it is a pretty sneaky way of getting a photo of my parrot in the blog. But, the rest of you make me look at pictures of your food. Call us even.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#ParrotSunday - Rick And Rio In Pen And Ink.

Rio is bonded to me, and spends a lot of time with me. This pen and ink drawing is one of my favorite images.

Red Winged BlackBird Hitches A Ride With An Osprey.

Repurposing Old Stuff On Saturday.

Often, on Saturdays, I sift through the detritus of my home and office, and try to repurpose forgotten items. Sometimes, it is a sparkling success. In this case, and old driftwood bowl that once housed a Himalayan Salt Rock stone. Some swear by them; but, for me, it was always a novelty. So, when I saw it in the group of items Diane and I are liberating, it occurred to me that it would make a great desktop perch. Now, Pinot can keep me company occasionally at work. After 10 years of love and affection, she is finally growing back many of her chest feathers. Good morning, beauty.

Seabird Rookery A Couple Of Blocks From Our House.

This little lake is a couple of blocks from the house. Nine years ago today, I shot a short video of the seabirds waking up at the rookery on an island in the middle of the lake. Every life should have moments like this.

No Such Thing As Paranoia.

"There is no such thing as paranoia. Your worst fears can come true at any moment." Hunter S. Thompson

In truth, worrying about what could happen in the future, or excessive concentration on imaginary antagonists coming after you, are symptoms of the mental illness we call "paranoia". However, that doesn't mean that something isn't out to get you. Events are not within our control. Life CAN change in an instant. Worrying about bad things happening isn't productive. We must certainly expect bad stuff, and even prepare for it, and try to live in the present while acknowledging that bad things will occur. But, the Stoics teach us to love those events, just as we love the happy stuff. It's just stuff. We get to choose how we live. Hunter Thompson chose to deal with his problems in self destructive ways. But, he was right to acknowledge that paranoia is just another psychological term. We all need to know that life must be lived now; because, in the end, something is coming to get you. 

A Good Reason To See Your Name In The Paper.

When a friend called this morning and told me I was in the newspaper, I was surprised. At least, however, it was for a fun reason. One of my Osprey photos was printed. I submitted it on a whim. Judge Burgess takes far superior photos; but, mine are okay. 

Sometimes, Bird Photography Can Be Difficult.